Sporting director Anooni Zubizarreta asserts that Barcelona are desperate to secure Dani Alves on new contract.Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has confirmed that the club are desperate for Dani Alves to commit his future by signing a contract extension.

The Brazilian has been locked in protracted negotiations with the Catalan giants for a number of months, with the two parties yet to reach an agreement, and with Alves’ contract due to expire in the summer of 2012, the likes of Manchester City are lurking, ready to pounce.

Speaking to the media prior to yesterday’s 3-0 win over Racing at the Camp Nou, Zubizarreta remarked: “Yes, we want Dani to stay. We had a meeting and see how we can progress this because we know it is complex.

“I know he wants to stay, and we want him to stay, but we must make a contract. We remain optimistic but also realistic, because this is football.”

Blaugrana vice-president Josep Bertomeu remains confident that a deal will be reached soon, adding: “We have spent time trying to renew his contract, and I think that ultimately we will reach an agreement.”